Obituaries

Elsie Kruse, age 100 of George, IA died Friday, February 10, 2012 at Sanford Hospital in Sheldon, IA.

Funeral service will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, February 15th at St. Johns Lutheran Church rural Boyden, IA. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday, February 14th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at St. Johns Lutheran Church.

Elsie Anna Maria (Hensch) Kruse was born January 24, 1912 in rural George, IA to Claus Herman and Meta (Pape) Hensch. She was baptized on February 18, 1912 and confirmed March 28, 1925 at St. John Lutheran Church in rural Boyden, IA. She went to country school near her home and graduated at the St. John Parochial School. She married Walter Kruse on February 6, 1934. To this union six daughters and two sons were born. Walter and Elsie were later divorced. She worked at Campbells Soup in Worthington, MN for many years. She also worked for Swalve Produce in George, Preibes in Sibley and Farmers Coop Produce in Boyden. She made crocheted tablecloths for all her children and baby blankets for all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In her later years she enjoyed making quilts for missions. She loved her garden and flowers. She also spent a lot of time playing cards. A highlight of her life was celebrating her 100th birthday on January, 22, 2012.

Elsie is survived by seven children, Eunice and her husband Maynard DeBoer of Archer, IA, Yvonne Leonard of Fort Dodge, IA, Phyllis and her husband Odean DeJong of Hull, IA, Carolyn and her husband Leon Korthals of Boyden, IA, Jolene and her husband Paul Peterson of Stevenson Ranch, CA, Donna and her husband Ken Rohde of Boyden, IA, and Leland and his wife Norine of George, IA; a daughter-in-law, Diane Kruse of Simpsonville, SC; her sister, Mildred Hensch of Sheldon, IA; and 20 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 10 great great-grandchildren.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Hannes; her son, Marlin; a son-in-law, Arnold Snuttjer; a grandson, Terry Sprock; two granddaughters, Cheryl Harvey and Belinda Clemente; and great-granddaughter, Isabelle Fiihr.

Her service will be 11:00 A.M. Monday, February 13, 2012 at the First Reformed Church in Sheldon, Iowa with Rev. David Brower officiating. Graveside services will be at 10:30 A.M. February 13, 2012 at East Lawn Cemetery in Sheldon.

Visitation will be Sunday, February 12, 2012 from 4 7 P.M. with the family present from 4:00 – 6:00 P.M. at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.

Evelyn Dean Postma, daughter of Fred and Eva (Van Oort) Wilts, was born January 9, 1925, in George, Iowa. She attended school in Lyon and O’Brien Counties as her family lived in George, Sheldon and Archer during her school years. On November 21, 1947, she was united in marriage to Clarence Postma in Sheldon, Iowa. After their marriage the couple farmed in Boyden, Iowa for 13 years before moving to Paullina and Sheldon, Iowa, where they owned and operated Postma Water Conditioning and Laundromat for 22 years. The couple retired in 1979, spending winters in Mesa, Arizona and then moving to Mesa for 11 years. The couple returned to Paullina, Iowa for 10 years before moving to the Christian Retirement Home in Sheldon, Iowa.

Evelyn was a member of the First Reformed Church of Sheldon. Through the years, she taught Sunday school and was an active member of Women’s Circle in Boyden and Paullina. She enjoyed music as she loved to sing, play bells and piano. The family’s fondest memories are of her planting flowers; listening to songs and then playing them on the piano; singing harmony with all those around her as well as having the most heart-warming sense of humor, especially in the midst of difficult times. Her sense of style and beauty were reflected in the clothes she wore and with her gift of interior design. She embraced the tough issues of life with grace and dignity. She was beloved by all.

Evelyn is survived by six children, Nancy and her husband Dudley Hinz of Paullina, Iowa, Connie Jane and her husband Rick Pinckard of San Diego, California, Roger and his wife Mary Postma of Peterson, Iowa, Chuck and his wife Sara Postma of Paullina, Iowa, Evonne Postma of Paullina, Iowa and Mark and his wife Jeri Postma of Sheldon, Iowa; ten grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by four sisters Harriet Riemers of Boyden, Iowa; Alvina (and Henry) Van Heuvelen of Sheldon, Iowa; Joyce (and Richard) Johnson of Sun City West, Arizona; and Mary Ann Reekers of Hull, Iowa; her aunt Nettie Urban of Sheldon, Iowa, along with other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence, her parents, brother Frederick, and brother-in-laws: Vern Reimers, Henry Reekers, and Arnold Reekers.

James “Jim” Johnson, age 63, of Sheldon, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD.

His services will be Monday, February 13, 2012 at 10:30am from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheldon, Iowa with Rev. Daniel Hart officiating. Burial will be in the St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery at a later date.

Visitation will be Sunday, February 12, 2012 from 2:00 6:00pm with the family present from 2:00 4:00pm at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon.

James “Jim” Donald Johnson, the son of Donald T. and Jacqueline (Abbott) Johnson was born August 14, 1948 in Sheldon, Iowa. He received his education in Sheldon graduating from Sheldon High School in 1967. While growing up in Sheldon he worked at Swansons Grocery which became Hy-Vee Grocery Store. On July 13, 1968, he was united in marriage to Francene Dalen in Estherville, Iowa He was inducted into the Army on January 28, 1969, which was during the Vietnam Conflict and received an honorable discharge on May 11, 1970. He furthered his education at NITC in Sheldon on the GI Bill and while in College he worked at Hy-Vee Grocery, Motor Supply and Ehlers. In 1974, he went to work for the Postal Service in Sheldon, where he was a mail carrier, sorted mail and for many years worked the window. He worked for a total of 35 years for the Postal Service until his retirement in 2009. When asked about his job Jim said, “Its not that hard when you love your job”. He passed away on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at the Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD after a long battle with cancer reaching the age of 63 years, 5 months and 15 days.

He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheldon. He enjoyed his family, fishing, boating, being at the lake, riding motorcycles and walking.

Jim is survived by his wife, Francene of Sheldon; two children, a son; Aaron and his wife, Kristi Johnson and their children, Shelby, Hannah and Isaac; a daughter, April and her husband, Jerry Goebel and their children, Caitlyn and Claire Goebel all of Estherville, IA; his beloved dog, Dexter; two sisters, Sharon and her husband, Stan Menning of Dawson, MN and Pam and her husband, Darrel Stuner of Sheldon, WI; his mother-in-law, Margaret Dalen of Graettinger, IA; Francenes family, Irlan (Terry) Dalen of Estherville, IA; Larry Dalen of San Diego, CA; Jerry Dalen and Rodney Dalen of Estherville, IA; Marlene (Dan) Nitchals of Mason City, IA; Ivan (Denise) Dalen of Graettinger, IA and Brenda (Dennis) Moore of Wallingford, IA; also nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, father-in-law, Irven Dalen and an aunt and uncle, Ralph and Tootie Fokken.

There will be a memorial service on Thursday, February 9, at 11:00am, at the Dover Avenue Alliance Church in Orange City. The Rev. Jeffrey Keady will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. There will be a prayer service on Thursday, at 10:00am, at the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.Read more

Nellie Ballou, age 98 of Larchwood, IA died Monday, February 6, 2012, at Fellowship Village in Inwood, IA.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 15th at the United Church of Christ in Larchwood, IA, with Pastor Kelly Volk officiating. Burial will follow at Primghar, IA.

Visitation will be one hour prior on Wednesday, February 15th at the United Church of Christ in Larchwood. IA.

Nellie Lena Ballou was born to Hans and Elizabeth Peper of Paullina, Iowa on December 31, 1913 and grew up in that area until she met Quinton (Pat) Ballou and were united in marriage. They farmed for 43 years near Archer, Iowa, where they raised two sons, Lyell and Steve Ballou.

They retired from the farm in 1977 and moved to Sanborn, Iowa and later to Archer, Iowa. Pat and Nellie then moved to Rock Rapids, Iowa to be closer to family and grandchildren. Nellies husband, Pat passed away in November of 1989. Nellie then moved to Larchwood, Iowa, where she resided until her death.

In her later years she enjoyed needlework, baking and cooking meals, along with gardening, and having beautiful houseplants. She was a very independent woman and drove her car until two years ago, taking short trips to the grocery store, hair salon, and occasional trip to Wal-Mart.
She was a member of the United Church of Christ in Larchwood, Iowa. Nellie had very special neighbors who looked out for her, Bob and Bea Bruggeman, Joe and Sally McMartin and special lady and caretaker, Mary Giles.